TWO men accused of running a prostitution racket made bank deposits in excess of £100,000, the High Court has heard.
Prosecutors claimed cash was earned by four women exploited in a sex trade centred in Banbridge and Belfast.
Details emerged as bail was refused yesterday to one of the pair arrested following a nine-month, UK-wide police surveillance operation.
Spartacus Mihai (20), a Romanian national of Henley Road in Ilford, Essex, faces charges of controlling prostitution, human trafficking and concealing, converting and transferring criminal property.
He was detained after searches were carried out at properties on Belfast's Newtownards Road and Kenlis Street in Banbridge on May 25.
According to police four women were rescued from the two locations.
But all four have declined to co-operate with the investigation and turned up at court in apparent support of Mihai's bail application.
Along with his co-accused, he was allegedly observed driving women to clients for sex, including trips to hotels.
Further research was said to have uncovered bank accounts and cash transfers to Romania.
The pair transferred money into their own accounts rather than those of the women they allegedly controlled, the court heard.
Spartacus Mihai himself used money transfer services to send nearly £21,000 to Romania, it was claimed.
He denies all the offences or knowing any prostitutes.
He told police he makes money by buying and selling cars.
Defence counsel stressed that none of the four alleged victims have made any complaints and denied being trafficked or involved in prostitution.
Denying bail, however, Mr Justice Burgess ruled that any risks of release could not be managed.
